sanction
Loading your saved state.
sanction
A punitive measure, usually imposed by a state or a community of states against another state in order to force it to behave in a certain way. Often these are economic restrictions.
Die Vereinten Nationen haben neue Sanktionen gegen das Regime beschlossen.
The United Nations has decided on new sanctions against the regime.
In political and economic contexts, 'Sanktion' (sanction) is often combined with certain verbs. You can 'verhängen' (impose), 'beschließen' (decide on), 'erlassen' (enact), 'verschärfen' (tighten), or 'aufheben' (lift) sanctions.
Die Staatengemeinschaft drohte damit, weitere Sanktionen zu verhängen.
The community of states threatened to impose further sanctions.
When sanctions are directed as a punitive measure against a state, organization, or person, the preposition 'gegen' (against) is used with the accusative.
Die Sanktionen gegen das Unternehmen wurden nach wenigen Wochen wieder aufgehoben.
The sanctions against the company were lifted again after a few weeks.
The meaning 'Genehmigung' (approval) or 'Bestätigung' (confirmation) is very rare and occurs almost only in legal or administrative language. In everyday language, 'Sanktion' (sanction) practically always means a negative consequence or punishment.
Ohne die Sanktion des Vorstands konnte der Vertrag nicht unterzeichnet werden.
Without the board's approval, the contract could not be signed.
punishment / penalty
'die Strafe' and 'die Sanktion' can both be a negative reaction to a rule violation. 'Strafe' is the normal everyday word, for example with children, traffic, school, or court. 'Sanktion' sounds more formal and official. It fits especially with rules, laws, organizations, or states. In the news, 'Sanktionen' often means measures against a country, for example economic restrictions. Learners may confuse the words because both are negative. In everyday speech, however, 'Strafe' usually sounds more natural.
Zur Vorbereitung auf die Sitzung erklärt Mia, welche Sanktionen gegen das Unternehmen möglich sind.
To prepare for the meeting, Mia explains which sanctions against the company are possible.
Im Bus war die Strafe für das fehlende Ticket ziemlich hoch.
On the bus, the penalty for the missing ticket was quite high.